1992 Scorecard Vote

Community Right to Know More Act

Issue: Toxics/Public Right to Know

The best way to minimize the risks of hazardous substances is to reduce, and when possible, eliminate their source production and use. The Community Right to Know More Act of 1992 would require industries to report toxic chemicals they use and produce, in addition to those released into the air and water.

Introduced by Representative Gerry Sikorski (D, MN-6), the Community Right to Know More Act (H.R. 2880) would require industries to develop plans for voluntary reductions in their use of toxic chemicals and would provide for national uniform reporting requirements and greater public access to hazardous waste databanks. Moreover, the Act would lift the existing reporting exemption for major pollution sources, including power plants, incinerators, and oil and gas production.

In addition, only 5% of all chemical releases are currently reported. The Community Right to Know More Act calls for expanding the list of chemicals covered under the 1986 Act to include hazardous chemicals listen in other environmental regulations, including the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act. The AFL-CIO supports this legislation because it would help to protect workers from toxics.

The current Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) reauthorization does not include the public safety provisions addressed by the Community Right to Know More Act. LCV considers cosponsorship of the Community Right to Know More Act to be a pro-environment action and urges that the similar amendment introduced by Representatives Sikorski and Matthew Rinaldo (R, NJ-7) be included in final passage of the RCRA legislation. The Community Right to Know More Act has 163 cosponsors.